For a pupil with a food allergy, lunchtime should feel just as normal as it would for everyone else. For our teams, at Independents by Sodexo allergen management is a top priority. We work closely with schools to understand the dietary needs of pupils and make sure those needs are taken into consideration throughout the lunch service. Helping pupils feel confident that their food is safe and prepared with their needs in mind is an important part of keeping pupil well-being at the heart of every meal.
Keeping our teams confident with allergens
We’ve built a strong safety culture across all our teams through clear policies, procedures, and regular training. Our ongoing training ensures staff stay confident and well-informed in managing allergens and special diets. Teams complete mandatory allergen training every six months. The training covers the procedures they need to follow when preparing and serving food for pupils with allergies and special dietary requirements.
Every service also has an Allergen Champion on duty. These team members have additional training and help make sure the correct procedures are followed during service.
Before each service, teams can also hold a briefing to go through the menu, ingredients and the pupils with allergies who will be eating that day. If a member of staff is unsure about anything, they are encouraged to stop and ask for advice.
Keeping pupil information up to date
In a busy dining hall it’s important than catering teams have accurate information about the pupils they are preparing meals for.
Our teams work in collaboration with schools to maintain details that are updated about pupil with allergies and special dietary requirements, while parents keep the school informed if their child’s needs change. Even when an allergy is already known, it is important to check that the information is still correct.
At Independents by Sodexo we maintain a Special Diets Folder which gives catering teams a clear place to find this information. Essential information includes the pupil’s name, year group, form and any specific control measures needed to keep them safe. The folder is kept onsite and updated regularly.
The folder also helps to support pupils with more complex dietary needs or multiple allergies. Where needed, dietitians can work with catering teams to create a suitable menu.
Making allergen information clear
Clear labelling is an important part of the process. We use a purple allergen labelling system to identify foods containing any of the 14 major allergens. Products are marked with the allergens they contain, N/A if they contain no allergens, or M/C if they may have been produced in a factory where cross-contamination could occur.
No other labelling is permitted.
Having a consistent system in place enables catering teams to know what to look for when preparing and serving meals.
Making sure the right meal reaches the right pupil
Closely working between the school and catering team becomes particularly important when meals are served. There needs to be a clear way of identifying pupils who need a special meal, particularly during a busy lunch service.
The approach can be agreed with each school and adapted to what works best for its pupils. This might mean displaying a pupil’s photograph in the school kitchen, using a coloured wristband or having a dedicated service counter.
Helping pupils feel comfortable at lunchtime
There is also a personal side to managing allergies at school. Children with allergies can feel different from their peers and some report being bullied because of their allergies. Making sure pupils can eat safely and comfortably is an important part of our food experience for pupils.
For instance details like knowing to whom a meal belongs, having clear information and making sure staff know what to do can help pupils feel more at ease when they sit down to eat.
Working together every day
At Independents by Sodexo, allergy management is an important part of the work of our catering teams. We regularly review the information shared with schools, so our teams are kept up to date if a pupil’s dietary needs change.
For us, it is about making sure every pupil can come to lunch feeling confident in the food they have been served and comfortable sitting down to share in a meal with their friends.
Our teams take pride in providing school meals that work for every pupil. Find out more about our approach to school catering and our approach to allergen management.